Cooking With Kids

The kitchen can be a fascinating place for young kids. They see grown-ups working briskly in there, watch the steam rise from pots on the stove, and smell what’s on the menu that night. Even older kids might be intrigued by how baked goods and meals come together. It isn’t always convenient to invite them into the kitchen to help, but consider doing so when time allows.

Younger kids can watch what you’re doing and help out with small tasks, like stirring something or setting the table. Older kids can be taught how to crack eggs or measure ingredients. Even teens might be lured into the kitchen if you tell them they can choose the dish and you’ll help prepare it with them.

To the kids, it will seem like fun, but there are other benefits to this time together:

Preschoolers see how the dishes they eat are put together — and they get hands-on experience, which is a great way to learn and feel like they are helping out.

School-age kids can learn some cooking basics and use their math skills as they help combine ingredients for recipes. You also can use the time to talk about good nutrition and why you chose the ingredients you’re using. It can lay the groundwork for healthy eating later on.

Teens might appreciate the chance to improve their cooking skills — good preparation for when they’ll need to cook for themselves. Teens also might be interested in trying different cuisines. Do they love Asian food? Visit an Asian market and put together something authentic.

Parents get something out of this kitchen togetherness, too. First, there’s the quality time you’ll share. Then there’s the pleasure of sitting down at the table together to enjoy what you’ve whipped up.

Here are some tips for having fun and staying safe while you’re cooking with kids.

Choose the Right Time

If you’re going to have kids helping you in the kitchen, you don’t want to be on a tight time schedule. Instead of involving them in a dinner you have to cook lightning-fast, enlist their help on a weekend afternoon when you don’t feel crunched.

With younger kids, choose a time when they’re well-rested and not easily frustrated. It’s also a smart idea to have another adult in the kitchen to help you keep an eye on your junior chef.

Choose the Right Tasks

Plan ahead a little when deciding what you’ll prepare together. For younger kids, consider starting with simple dishes with fewer than five ingredients. Then your child won’t have to wait it out while you tackle a complicated step. A tossed salad or easy muffin recipe can be good starter projects. You also might set up a pizza-making assembly line where kids can choose their own mini-crusts, sauces, cheeses, and toppings. Older kids can take cooking to the next level and work with you on more challenging recipes.

When you’ve chosen a recipe, think about which steps your child can do independently. For instance, kids who can read can call out the ingredients from the recipe card while you put them out on the counter. A younger child can help you pour ingredients into a bowl. An older child might be able to measure out ingredients and add them unassisted.

Doing some prep work in advance, such as rinsing the berries for muffins, will make the process move more swiftly. If there’s a lull in the action, you might consider giving your child a well-deserved break. Then you can call him or her back in when there’s another kid-friendly task to do, or when it’s time to taste what you made.

Stress Safety

Children need supervision when they’re in the kitchen. Preschoolers must learn not to touch whirring electric beaters, hot pans, and stove tops.

Here are some safety tips:

Give frequent reminders about what’s OK to touch and which items can hurt them.

Talk about which kitchen tasks are for grown-ups and which are for kids.

Establish kitchen rules, such as washing hands and not touching stove knobs or knives.

Even older kids will need safety reminders, especially if they’re working with appliances and knives, or at the stove.

Loosen Up

Kids cannot be counted on to be neat in the kitchen. Even adults have trouble with that. To make your experience together more enjoyable, allow for some extra mess and try to be patient. To prevent cooking disasters, be sure your child isn’t measuring ingredients over the bowl — risking a big oops. Instead, you might measure them separately and put them in small bowls, like they do on TV cooking shows.

Even if everything doesn’t go perfectly, try to keep the mood light. If the egg gets more smashed than cracked, offer some guidance and let your child try again. Little by little, kids will gain these skills — and feel great once they’re mastered.

Last, but not least, be sure to compliment your assistant chefs on a job well done. Offer them first taste of whatever you cooked together — and ask what you should make together next time. Bon appetite!

Testimonials

Maria to Little Tots Childcare

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! We are so happy everyday that we found your daycare. You take such amazing care of our daughter as promised on your website. You have showered her with hugs and cuddles since the day she arrived. Your attention to detail, creativity, suggestions (solid foods, toys, sleeping positions, Baby Einstein, and etc) and play environment are beyond what we could have hoped for. Your loving and caring home is the reason I feel comfortable being back at work. A day doesn't go by, that I don't sit at my desk and think the only reason I can be here and not at home is because I trust Lily is having a wonderful time, is safe and so well cared for. In our eyes, you two are masters at what you do! The combination of your professional and parenting experience placed in your unique home/daycare setting are a magical mix. We are so happy that we were able to get Sierra in your program and keep her so close to our house. Thank you for all you have done for Lily!

Please accept this holiday gift. We consider this a natural time of reflection on the year that has passed and want to acknowledge the outstanding job you have done and the positive impact you have had on our life.

Once again - Thank you,
Thank you,
Thank you!
Maria

Cyndi R. to Little TOTS Childcare

I enrolled my son in at Little TOTS Childcare center when he was 13 months old. I interviewed approximately 20 child care center's. The process of elimination began with the first phone call. The first phone call to Little TOTS Childcare pleasant and inviting. Carmelina answered all of my many questions and once we did drop him off the first day, she was there, with tissues in hand, assuring us that our baby would be OK and that we could call her anytime to see how he was doing. And, she meant it. Anytime I called, she would let me know how he was doing, and what he was doing – that extra bit of information gave it that special touch. She took that extra step. Cyndi R.

Fthenos Carmelina at Little TOTS Childcare

Thank you for making Talia's daycare experience a great one! Little Tots is such a warm and nurturing environment that I hands down recommend to everyone! They make wholesome meals, and have tons of toys and interactive activities for the little ones! Big thanks goes out to Carmelina, Christine and Nonna for all they do to make sure everyone is taken care of!

Sharon M. at Little TOTS Childcare

Carmelina, I just want to let you know how grateful I am to you and your Little TOTS Childcare employees. I am so thrilled that I have found a daycare where I feel that my children are so well cared for and loved. I was so impressed with the program on Friday and LOVED seeing my little boy take such an active part in the class. I am so grateful to have found you and please continue your good work. I will tell everyone about you and your staff. "It isn't easy working full-time and sending my little precious boys to daycare, but having Little Tots Childcare as the place they go every day certainly sets my mind more at ease. A million times thanks! Sharon M.

Really lovely place for children. I always felt that my daughter was in good hands and safe. The kids love a huge backyard and lots of activities during the day. I'm thankful to all teachers we have met there?And lots of kisses to Nona for being a grandmother to all the kids.

Diana to Little TOTS Childcare

My daughter had never been under any one care other than mine and my husband's since she was born. Little TOTS Childcare is the perfect fit for our family. With Carmelina and staff, our daughter was able to make a very smooth transition and we've noticed so much growth in her since starting. They offer great art projects, time outside, as well as beginning academics to help the kids get introduced to school. I would never want to send my child anywhere else. I have recommended Little Tots Childcare to several friends and will continue to do so. Diana